The Code Games News Report 08.03.07
Posted by Shawn Struck on 08.03.2007
Play a homebrew, win some cash; Insomniac becomes even MORE awesome; game music galore, and you WILL believe a Spider-Man can fly. All this and more in the return of The Code!
Hi there, 411Maniacs! I know it's been a while since I rapped at ya, but life got pretty scary a few months ago--luckily, my wife's in better health, I'm working again, and her dream of two years of launching her own store is about to be realized.
Now, being away for close to three months is practically forever in internet years (I know, I looked it up on The Google), so a quick re-introduction is in order. 411 Mania Games is, of course, is your one-stop source for the latest news, the freshest previews, and the best reviews. Sometimes, though,. while you're looking for the latest Halo 3 beta news, or MSG4 screens, other gaming news of the week falls through the cracks. So I do my best to bring you news of the small, the strange, the awesome, and the overlooked each week.
This! Is! SPAAAARRRTTTAAAAAThe Code!
PSP Homebrew Game Creator Puts His Money Where His Mouth Is Get the highest score, win $50.
The impressive PSP homebrew game, Hexaxis (shown at left), has just been updated.
There's a new 3D menu system to match the look and feel of the game, along with three modes to play through and an additional 2 new levels added to the game. That's a pretty fully-loaded plate of what was an already impressive homebrew game/ 3-D puzzler.
What's making the game an ever sweeter download is the new contest along with it.
The developer is offering a $50 gift card to the best player of his game. Play the Quick Run mode of the game, and try to get the highest score you can. A validation code will be provided and the top point grabber will nab the $50 prize.
The deadline for entry is September 27-- the developer's birthday. Whether the homebrew game play shown in the video or the potential to get yourself some money piqued your interest, you can download the game here.
Insomniac Studios Throws The Doors Open On Its Own R&D Shares PS3 Development Process & Code With Industry Pros and Fans Alike
Insomniac Games (best know for the Ratchet And Clank: Tools of Destruction and Resistance: Fall of Man games) CEO recently announced The 'R&D' page-- a new section on the Insomniac web site that's
"...meant to share knowledge with fellow studios about PS3 development while giving our fans a detailed look into how we make our games. This page will also help explain our production philosophies.... in hopes of supporting the PS3 development community and enhancing overall development for its core technologies such as the CELL processor and RSX."
Very Open Source-ish, if you ask me. And I think it's a great move not just for Insomniac's PR, but also for game development as a whole. Sharing processes and code samples are not the same as an end product. Sharing a class (or section of code) is just a way to show how to accomplish a simple, focused task. It's not going to make the entire game/web site/program for you. Free and open code sharing like this allows a developer more time to focus on the specific needs a game has. As they say, "A rising tide lifts all boats".
And for those of your that get bored by technical specs and details, the page still makes an interesting behind the scenes look at past, present and future development. You can visit the section by clicking here.
This Week's "Now That's Cool": Super Mario Bros. Sound Effect Pen
At first, I though ten bucks for a Nintendo DS stylus pen was pretty overpriced, even for one festooned with Super Mario Bros. artwork.
Then I saw that you could also use it as a regular ball-point pen.
Then I also saw that it played sound effects from New Super Mario Bros.
SOLD! (well, I don't have the money to get it myself. But I totally WOULD buy it if I could.)
All YouTube, All The Time: Spider-Man Can... Fly?; Phoenix Wright: Music For All; Best. Simpsons Game. Ever- Start to Finish.
This first clip from The YouTube has what's one of the more amusing game glitches. Apparently there's some bug in the code that makes the oncoming subway not just knock ol' web-head off the path and minus some health.. but launch him MILES into the air!
Y'know, I think I could see my house from that last shot...
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is one of my favorite games for the DS. I also dig fan-made music. I'm doubly impressed by the fact that this guy had to figure everything out BY EAR:
So, if you think that was entertaining, you'll get no objection from me.
And finally, here's a speed run of my most favorite Simpsons game ever-- the Simpsons arcade game Konami released in the early '90s.
Now, while Matt Groening being the final boss IS a pretty cool addition to the upcoming Simpsons X-box game, I think a TRULY cool game feature would be making a version of the arcade game available on the disc as a freebie. Even better, on XBLA. Mmm... Simpsons multi-player....
8-bit Chip-Hop, Nerd Rock, Ya Don't Stop... Internet music label debut with nostalg-tastic albums from some pro circuit-benders
The online netlabel II (pronounced "pause") has kicked off their official launch-- the label is focusing on chiptune musicians and 8-bit inspired composers. This project really caught my eye. I mean, ear.The release for Norrin Radd - Melodia di Infinita says: A relentless collection of most of Norrin's prolific 8-bit work to date, including the infamous 18-minute super medley "Unfinished Symphony , the City Smasher collection, and a handful of brand new chips.
Also check out the collective Disasterpiece with what I believe is the first: an 8-bit inspired CONCEPT album done in chiptunes It's like candy for your ears.
Super Columbine Massacre RPG Back In The News Creator of SCMRPG releases trailer for documentary due later this year
Produced by Danny Ledonne, the movie is based around the reactions of various individuals to his Super Columbine Massacre RPG!, which was itself an expression of outrage over the Columbine killings. Beginning with its inception in the wake of the 1999 shootings and following through its removal from the Slamdance 2007 Guerilla Gamemaker Competition, the movie is intended to "examine the issues surrounding the e future of video games as an art form and how one game has touched upon the larger development of an emergent form of expression."
The movie features appearances from a wide range of people, including game journalists, developers, university professors, students, two survivors of school shootings (including Columbine) and Jack Thompson. According to the web site, a "rough edit" of the film is now in progress.
Sony fans can get all the PS3 info and opinions they need in this week's The SIXAXIS. You'll find out about Rockstar's brand new PS3 franchise, and some Heavenly Sword impressions, like: Is it impressive? Check out the column to find out!
Cory Moore's Press Pause stops to take a look at some features of the Nintendo Wii you might have overlooked.
Mike Minotti bring you da noise, da funk, AND da latest X-Box 360 developments with the debut of Full Circle: 360 News Report. Wait a sec-- he's also been doing The SIXAXIS recently... is he a close? Or an identical twin? Identical twin clone, maybe? At any rate, he handles two columns wonderfully this week, too. Plus, I cover the weird and wacky stuff, so I should be safe.
Our very own Nintendo para-elemental, Theo Fraser, is on the Big-N tip with Nintendophiles.
Jess Ragan, of GameTap, 1up.com and The Gameroom Blitz fame has launched a really entertaining Youtube channel that reminds me a lot of X-Play when it was really good with lots of reviews and retrospectives. Check out his FFT GBA review and Fighter's Misery series.
Boss-man Ashish also has http://www.tigerflashgames.com/ which is a great collection of fun, casual flash games all in one place.
That's all for this week. Though speaking of Flash, watch this space next week for a little surpirse and a way to say thank you to the fans.
I'd also like to thank the entire staff at 411Mania for being so supportive. Until next week, be excellent to each other, and read my stuff.
